Table of contents for 2023-06-15 in DFA News

THE MOTHIBISTAD Regional Court sentenced Richard Obopeng to eight years’ direct imprisonment for raping a 27-year-old woman. The incident dates back to July 12, 2018 in Madularanch, Bothithong, near Kuruman, when the victim was approached by Obopeng at a tavern. He claimed to be a traditional healer. Obopeng told the victim that she was “haunted by evil spirits”. Obopeng conducted a “ritual cleansing” and he then went to his home with the victim, where he forcefully raped her. A case was opened with the police and Obopeng was arrested. Bail was successfully opposed. On June 7, 2023, Obopeng was sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court. The JTG district commissioner, Major-General Johnny Besnaar, applauded the investigating officer in the matter, Detective Sergeant Matshidisho John Lizmore Boikanyo,…

THE KATHU Regional Court sentenced Pastor Joseph Themane, 63, to 33 years’ imprisonment for raping two girls. The incident dates back to 2020, when the two victims, aged 18 and 15, were raped while undergoing a “cleansing ceremony”. This was after the pastor had informed them that they were “demon possessed”. Themane took the two victims to the veld, raped them and told them that it was part of the healing and cleansing process. The victims alerted their grandmother and a police case was opened. Themane was arrested and bail was successfully opposed. On June 9, 2023, the Kathu Regional Court sentenced Themane to 18 years’ imprisonment for count 1 and 15 years for count 2. The SAPS management welcomed the hefty sentence handed down to Themane. The JTG district…

WE HAVE embarked on an ambitious journey towards universal health care, with Parliament this week passing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. This landmark “revolutionary” legislation aims to ensure comprehensive health care for all, but it comes amid debates on the potential advantages and drawbacks. Proponents of the NHI see it as a vehicle for much-needed change in a health-care system riddled with inequalities. It comes amid a World Bank report which affirmed South Africa as one of the most unequal societies in the world. For many, the NHI, thus, provides hope for millions of South Africans who previously had limited access to health care due to financial constraints. The system is designed to be funded by general taxation, eliminating direct, out-of-pocket payments at the point of care. Advocates of…

ROLLING blackouts have cost Spar more than R700 million in diesel for generators over a six-month period, the retailer said, as it warned of much higher spending if the power situation deteriorates. Crippling power cuts are leaving households and businesses in Kimberley and across the country in the dark for up to 10 hours a day, but with 97% of its stores covered by generators, Spar's operations remain largely uninterrupted, interim CEO Mike Bosman told Reuters. Spar's spending on fuel for its generators, which are ready to run 24 hours a day, makes doing business "unbelievably expensive", but the cost is not being pushed onto consumers. And with the power cuts showing no sign of abating, Bosman said that at current levels Spar's diesel spend for its full financial year…

THE MOTHIBISTAD police are investigating a murder case following the discovery of an unknown man’s body in Magojaneng on June 10. Police spokesperson Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi said the deceased was found naked in the vicinity of Magojaneng village, near Maikaelelo Primary School. The deceased is a black African male in his early 20s. Anyone with information regarding the incident or who can assist in identifying the deceased is urged to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Mmabatho Matong, on 072 5965 148 or 079 6159 028 or the SAPS emergency number 08600 10111.…

THINGS certainly work differently in the big city. This past weekend, this country bumpkin had to make a trip to Gauteng. If I could sum up the visit in a single word, that word would be ‘painful’. Driving in Gauteng is not for the faint-hearted. Minutes after pulling out of your driveway, you will find yourself on a highway hurtling along amongst four lanes of traffic with cars zipping, zooming and zig-zagging all over the place … painful. Now imagine yourself barrelling down a highway at 100km/h, overtaking slower cars in the left lane, with a row of cars lined up behind you and faster cars dashing by on your right, when all of a sudden, the car ahead of you just cruises there preventing you from going anywhere. This…

THE MOTHIBISTAD Regional Court sentenced a 26-year-old man for kidnapping and raping his 17-year-old former girlfriend. The incident dates back to November 5, 2021, when the victim was accosted by the accused in Tsaelengwe Village, Mothibistad. The victim was on her way to her boyfriend when the accused kidnapped her. He assaulted her and forcefully locked her up in his house overnight. The following morning he continued to assault her and raped her. The victim opened a case at the police station and the ex-boyfriend was arrested hours later. The police successfully opposed bail. The accused was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for rape and three years for kidnapping on June 12. The sentences will run concurrently. The acting provincial commissioner, Major-General Mmantsheke Lekhele, commended the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of June 7-10 and what’s on next week’s programme. Results for the week of June 7-10 are: The Wednesday June 7th Konica Minolta sponsored 18-hole BBS was won by Harry Welham and Jason Barnes on 46pts with Ian Kidson and Jason Barnes pivoting 2nd on 45pts. Third was Barrie van Zyl and Jacques Gouws on 42pts with Barend Burger and Joshua Edwards 4th on 41 on a count-out. The Thursday 8th June KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by OT Manyetsa with 26pts. Second was Neville Alexander on 25pts and 3rd Luchman Poonawassy on 24pts. The Friday 9th June Flamingo Casino Sponsored 9-hole competition was won by Neville Parker on 21pts. Second on a count-out with 21pts was Frankie…

EPWP workers in the John Taolo Gaetsewe and Joe Morolong districts staged a picket in Seoding Road in Kuruman earlier this week demanding to be permanently absorbed and are protesting against unfair labour practices. The provincial organiser of the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw), Thapelo Thole, said that some EPWP workers’ names appeared on the Persal employee system where they received payslips stating that they earn salaries of R9 000. “This while they are only being paid R2 400 by the non-governmental organisations under which they are registered,” said Thole. “We have registered a case with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) because we do not know who is benefiting from the balance of the money. “EPWP workers do not qualify for National Student…

“I SENT Tina a message saying that we believe her and that the storm shall pass.” These were the words of the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, who was speaking at the memorial service of ANC MP and former Northern Cape MEC Tina Joemat-Pettersson. The ANC hosted the memorial service at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley yesterday. Motshekga said she was shocked to hear of Joemat-Pettersson’s passing. “I sent her a message, saying that we must believe her and stand with her. I told her that this storm shall pass. She replied, saying it meant a lot to her. I could not believe it when I heard that she had passed away three days after that message,” Motshekga said, referring to media reports linking Joemat-Pettersson to fraud…

A 24-YEAR-old suspect, Justin Koper, appeared in the Upington Magistrate’s Court this week following his arrest in connection with the shooting of a 54-year-old farmer in Ashkam near Windraai on June 8. Koper is facing charges of house-breaking and theft, attempted murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm. It is believed that the shooting happened after the farm owner heard noises in the storeroom at around 11pm and went to investigate. Police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the victim was approached by an unknown male person who shot him and then fled the scene. “The victim was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds to his chest area, where he is now receiving medical treatment,” said Masegela. The police launched a manhunt for the armed suspect, which resulted in the…

The Provincial cricket team, the Northern Cape Heat, received exciting news as their highly-acclaimed coach, Mark Charlton, signed a two-year contract extension with the team. After two successful seasons with the NC Heat, which resulted in the team securing two trophies, Charlton’s decision to continue his journey with the team has brought a wave of optimism and ambition to the province. Charlton’s remarkable coaching abilities were recognised when he was awarded the prestigious title of CSA Division 2 Coach of the Year for the 2021/22 season. This accolade not only solidified his position as a coach but also highlighted his role within the Northern Cape cricket fraternity. With his contract extension, Charlton has demonstrated his commitment to nurturing and refining the province’s young talent, ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled…